But Miller first has to find a new house in the 86th District, a process that is ongoing.

"I would like to run," Miller told Twarowski. "I can't commit to the project unless I can legally run for it, and I can't do that until I live inside the 86th District."

Miller's housing search, which centers in the Oak Grove area, underscores the obstacles facing Democrats as they try to unseat Rust.

Although his district has been trending Democratic - President-elect Barack Obama carried it with 63 percent of the vote inthis year - Rust has proven to be a formidable opponent. In 2007, Rust was reelected with 53 percent of the vote against a well-funded Democratic challenger.

If Miller were to get the nomination this year, his recent move into the district would almost certainly become an issue against Rust, a former mayor of Herndon with strong ties to the District. And if they can't pick up Rust's seat this year, it's hard to see how Democrats can find the six seats they need to regain control of the House of Delegates.

You'd think someone who'd been representing the district for 6 years and was mayor of the Town of Herndon for a decade before that would do a little better than a 700 vote margin against a 1st time candidate who didn't previously hold any elected office?